National Hurling League

Annual inter-county hurling competition From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The National Hurling League is an annual inter-county hurling competition featuring teams from Ireland and England. Founded in 1925 by the Gaelic Athletic Association, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation within the league system.

IrishSraith Iomána Náisiúnta
Quick facts Allianz National Hurling League, Irish ...
Allianz National Hurling League
Current season or competition:
2026 National Hurling League
IrishSraith Iomána Náisiúnta
CodeHurling
Founded1925–1926; 100 years ago (1926)
RegionIreland
Britain (GAA)
No. of teams35
Title holders Limerick (15th title)
Most titles Kilkenny
Tipperary (19 titles)
SponsorsAllianz
TV partner(s)RTÉ2, TG4 and Eir Sport
Premier Sports (UK, including NI)
Official websiteOfficial website
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The league has 35 teams divided into five divisions, with seven teams in each division. Promotion and relegation between these divisions is a central feature of the league. Although primarily a competition for Irish teams, teams from England – currently Lancashire, London and Warwickshire – also take part, while in the past New York also fielded a team for the latter stages of the league.[1] Teams representing subdivisions of counties, such as Fingal and South Down have also participated at various times.[2]

The National Hurling League has been associated with a title sponsor since 1985. Ford, Royal Liver and Church & General have all served as sponsors of the league since then. The competition is currently sponsored by Allianz and is officially known as the Allianz Hurling League.[3]

The league season runs from late January to March with each team in the group playing each other once. The top two teams in Division 1A will advance to the National Hurling League Final. The winners of the League title are awarded the Dr Croke Cup and are officially regarded as the National Hurling League champions.

The National Hurling League title has been won by 10 different teams, 9 of whom have won the title more than once. The all-time record-holders are Tipperary and Kilkenny, who have won the league on 19 occasions. Limerick won the 2026 title.

History

Creation

Since 1887, the All-Ireland Championship had been steadily growing in interest and in participation.[4] The championship, however, was largely confined to the summer months, resulting in a lack of top class inter-county action between September and April. Inter-county tournament games were popular as a way of filling the void, while some provinces organised their own pre-championship competitions, most notably the Thomond Feis in Munster.[5] Several counties had also organised inter-club leagues as a means of supplementing the county championship by providing more games. While these had proved successful, it was decided to create a national senior inter-county league to provide games during the winter and spring months.

Beginnings

The inaugural National Hurling League began on 27 September 1925 and ended on 16 May 1926. Seven teams - Cork, Dublin, Galway. Kilkenny, Laois, Limerick and Tipperary - competed in a six-game single round-robin format. At the end of the group stage the top two teams contested the league final. Cork won the 1925–26 league following a 3–7 to 1–5 defeat of Dublin in the final.

Development

While no league took place during the 1926–27 season, the 1926–27 league featured nine teams. A single round-robin format was once again used, with each team playing eight games. The second league featured no final, with Tipperary being declared champions after securing 14 points from their group stage games.

The 1928-29 league featured twelve teams divided in two groups based on geographical position. The Eastern Division comprised five teams from the province of Leinster, while the Southwestern Division had seven teams from the province of Munster and Galway. The top teams in each division played off in the final to determine the champions. This format was used on a number of occasions until the 1934–35, when the league reverted to a straightforward one-group league with the top-placed team being declared the champions. This format was used again during the leagues in 1935–36 and 1936–37.

Ten teams entered the 1937–38 league, with two groups of five teams competing. A third group was added in 1938–39 as the number of teams increased to thirteen. These formats were regularly used over the following seasons, depending on the number of teams participating.

Between 1941 and 1945 the league was suspended due to the Emergency.

The 1955–56 league saw the introduction of a major change in format. As a result of a lack of interest from defeated first-round teams in recent years, Central Council introduced a two-division league featuring a new system of relegation and promotion. Division 1 was confined to ten teams in two groups of five. The bottom-placed team in each group would play off to decide which of the two teams would be relegated. Division 2 was made up of the 'second tier' hurling teams and featured eight teams divided into two groups. Limerick became the first team to be relegated, while Antrim became the first team to gain promotion under the new system.

Format history

  • 2009–2011: Division 1 (8), Division 2 (8), Division 3A (6), Division 3B (7), Division 4 (6).
  • 2012–2019: Division 1A (6), Division 1B (6), Division 2A (6), Division 2B (6), Division 3A (6), Division 3B (5).
  • 20202024: Division 1 (12), Division 2A (6), Division 2B (6), Division 3A (6), Division 3B (5).
  • 2025–present: Division 1A (7), Division 1B (7), Division 2 (7), Division 3 (7), Division 4 (7).

Schedule

In the 20th century, National League fixtures were played during inter-county windows in the later and early months of the calendar year, while the SHC occupied the inter-county window during those months that made up the middle of the year, e.g. May, August. Club competitions of lesser importance occurred alongside the inter-county games so as to provide meaningful game time for players possessed of insufficient ability to compete at the higher (inter-county) level.

From 1997, National League fixtures were played during the early months of the calendar year, preceding the SHC, which remained in the traditional mid-year position. An April club window allowed inter-county players to return to their clubs to participate in some early rounds of the more important club competitions, i.e. championship fixtures.

This arrangement was disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the impact of the pandemic on Gaelic games, the 2020 National League was suspended in March and all Gaelic games ceased until the middle of the year, when club fixtures were first to resume. The National League was then completed in October, ahead of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship (which was completed in December). This led to a motion (passed at the 2021 GAA Congress) to adopt a "split season" model, whereby club competitions would occupy one part of the calendar year and inter-county fixtures the other part.[6]

Sponsorship

Since 1985, the National Hurling League has been sponsored. The sponsor has usually been able to determine the league's sponsorship name.

More information Period, Sponsor(s) ...
Period Sponsor(s) Name
1925–1985 No main sponsor The National Hurling League
1985–1987 United States Ford The Ford National Hurling League
1987–1992 Republic of Ireland Royal Liver The Royal Liver National Hurling League
1992–1999 Republic of Ireland Church & General The Church & General National Hurling League
1999– Germany Allianz The Allianz Hurling League
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Division 1

History

Jason Flynn in action for Galway against Kilkenny in the 2015 National Hurling League

Division 1 has existed in its current form since the 2012 league.[7] Prior to this, Division 1 had existed as a single division of eight teams. The new division, comprising two groups, was created using the final rankings from the 2011 league. The top six teams from that year's Division 1 were added to the new Division 1A. The bottom two teams from Division 1 and the top four teams from Division 2 were added to the new Division 1B.

In 2012 and 2013, the top two teams in Division 1B contested a final, with the winners joining the top three teams from Division 1A in the semi-finals of the league proper. This format was abandoned when the quarter-final stage was introduced during the 2014 league.[8]

Format

There are currently seven teams in Division 1A.

During the course of a season (from February to March) each team plays the others once (a single round-robin system) for a total of 21 games. Teams receive two points for a win and one point for a draw. No points are awarded for a loss. Where two teams are level on points, the team that wins the head-to-head match is ranked ahead. If this game is a draw, points difference (total scored minus total conceded in all games) is used to rank the teams. Where three or more teams are level on points, points difference is used to rank them.

The top two teams in Division 1A contest the National Hurling League final. The bottom two teams in Division 1A are relegated to Division 1B.

2027 Teams

The following seven teams will compete in Division 1A during the 2027 league.

More information Team, Position in table in 2026 ...
Team Position in table in 2026 First year in top flight In top flight since Division 1 titles Last Division 1 title
Clare Division 1B promoted 1927–28 2027 5 2024
Cork 1925–26 2015 15 2025
Dublin Division 1B promoted 1925–26 2027 3 2011
Galway 4th 1925–26 2020 11 2021
Kilkenny 5th 1925–26 1994–95 19 2021
Limerick 1925–26 2019 15 2026
Tipperary 3rd 1925–26 1987–88 19 2008
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Venues

Semple Stadium, as well as being the home stadium of Tipperary, is a regular venue for semi-finals and finals.
Páirc Uí Chaoimh is the home stadium of Cork.
Croke Park last hosted the league final in 2019.

Attendances

Stadium attendances are a significant source of regular income for Central Council and for the teams involved. For the knock-out stages of the 2017 league, average attendances were 12,474 with a total aggregate attendance figure of 87,321 for the seven games.

Group stage

The league is operated using a home and away basis every second year. Fixtures in the five group stage rounds of the league are played at the home ground of one of the two teams involved. Each team is guaranteed at least two home games.

Quarter-finals

The quarter-finals of the league are usually played at the home venue of one of the teams involved. The team which receives home advantage is decided by using the home and away agreement or by a coin toss.

Semi-finals

The semi-finals of the league are usually played on the same day at the same venue as part of a double-header of games. Semple Stadium, Nowlan Park and the Gaelic Grounds have all been used as the venues for the semi-finals.

Final

Since 2000, Semple Stadium has been used on ten occasions as the host venue for the league final. The Gaelic Grounds, Nowlan Park and Croke Park have also been used as the final venue during this time.

Managers

Brian Cody managed Kilkenny to 10 league titles.
Davy Fitzgerald managed Clare to the title in 2016.

Managers in the National Hurling League are involved in the day-to-day running of the team, including the training, team selection, and sourcing of players from the club championships. Their influence varies from county-to-county and is related to the individual county boards. From 2018, all inter-county head coaches must be Award 2 qualified. The manager is assisted by a team of two or three selectors and an extensive backroom team consisting of various coaches. Prior to the development of the concept of a manager in the 1970s, teams were usually managed by a team of selectors with one member acting as chairman.

Notes
  1. ^
    Clare (CE): Fr. Harry Bohan and Justin McCarthy co-managed Clare to success in 1977 and 1978.

Winners

By county

More information County, Titles ...
County Titles Runners-up Years won Years runners-up
Tipperary 19 21 1927–28, 1948–49, 1949–50, 1951–52, 1953–54, 1954–55, 1956–57, 1958–59, 1959–60, 1960–61, 1963–64, 1964–65, 1967–68, 1978–79, 1987–88, 1993–94, 1999, 2001, 2008 1930–31, 1937–38, 1939–40, 1947–48, 1952–53, 1955–56, 1962–63, 1965–66, 1970–71, 1974–75, 1988–89, 1991–92, 1995–96, 2000, 2003, 2009, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2025
Kilkenny 19 13 1932–33, 1961–62, 1965–66, 1975–76, 1981–82, 1982–83, 1985–86, 1989–90, 1994–95, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2021* 1946–47, 1949–50, 1953–54, 1956–57, 1964–65, 1966–67, 1967–68, 1976–77, 1977–78, 2007, 2011, 2023, 2024
Cork 15 10 1925–26, 1929–30, 1939–40, 1940–41, 1947–48, 1952–53, 1968–69, 1969–70, 1971–72, 1973–74, 1979–80, 1980–81, 1992–93, 1998, 2025 1928–29, 1948–49, 1959–60, 1961–62, 2002, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2022, 2026
Limerick 15 9 1933–34, 1934–35, 1935–36, 1936–37, 1937–38, 1946–47, 1970–71, 1983–84, 1984–85, 1991–92, 1997, 2019, 2020, 2023, 2026 1932–33, 1957–58, 1969–70, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1973–74, 1979–80, 1982–83, 2006
Galway 11 6 1930–31, 1950–51, 1974–75, 1986–87, 1988–89, 1995–96, 2000, 2004, 2010, 2017, 2021* 1978–79, 1985–86, 1993–94, 1997, 1999, 2008
Clare 5 7 1945–46, 1976–77, 1977–78, 2016, 2024 1975–76, 1984–85, 1986–87, 1994–95, 2001, 2005, 2020
Wexford 4 10 1955–56, 1957–58, 1966–67, 1972–73 1950–51, 1951–52, 1954–55, 1963–64, 1968–69, 1981–82, 1983–84, 1989–90, 1990–91, 1992–93
Waterford 4 7 1962–63, 2007, 2015, 2022 1938–39, 1958–59, 1960–61, 1998, 2004, 2016, 2019
Dublin 3 5 1928–29, 1938–39, 2011 1925–26, 1929–30, 1933–34, 1940–41, 1945–46
Offaly 1 2 1990–91 1980–81, 1987–88
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Timeline of cumulative National Hurling League Titles

Notes

  • Kilkenny and Galway shared the 2021 title

Wins by provinces

More information County, Title(s) ...
County Title(s) Runners-up Total
Munster 57 53 110
Leinster 27 30 57
Connacht 11 6 17
Ulster 0 0 0
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List of finals

Legend

All-Ireland champions
All-Ireland runners-up

List of finals

More information Year, Winners ...
Year Winners Runners-up Venue Winning Captain
CountyScore County Score
1925–26Cork3–7Dublin1–5Seán Óg Murphy
1926–27League not held
1927–28Tipperarywon on points system with 14 points from eight gamesJohnny Leahy
1928–29Dublin7–4Cork5–5Mick Gill
1929–30Cork3–5Dublin3–0Eudie Coughlan
1930–31Galway4–5Tipperary4–4Ignatius Harney
1931–32League not held
1932–33Kilkenny3–8Limerick1–3Nowlan ParkEddie Doyle
1933–34Limerick3–6Dublin3–3Gaelic GroundsMick Kennedy
1934–35Limerickwon on points system with 15 points from eight gamesTimmy Ryan
1935–36Limerickwon on points system with 15 points from eight gamesTimmy Ryan
1936–37Limerickwon on points system with 13 points from eight gamesMick Mackey
1937–38Limerick5-2Tipperary1-1Mick Mackey
1938–39Dublin1–8Waterford1–4Mick Daniels
1939–40Cork8-9Tipperary6-4Jack Lynch
1940–41Cork4–11Dublin2–7Connie Buckley
1941-45League suspended for four seasons
1945–46Clare2–10Dublin2–5After a replayMick Daly
1946–47Limerick3–8Kilkenny1–7After a replayJackie Power
1947–48Cork3–3Tipperary1–2Jim Young
1948–49Tipperary3–5Cork3–3Pat Stakelum
1949–50Tipperary3–8Kilkenny1–10Seán Kenny
1950–51Galway6–7Wexford3–4M. J. 'Inky' Flaherty
1951–52Tipperary4–7Wexford4–6Pat Stakelum
1952–53Cork2–10Tipperary2–7David O'Leary
1953–54Tipperary3–10Kilkenny1–4Jimmy Finn
1954–55Tipperary3–5Wexford1–5John Doyle
1955–56Wexford5–9Tipperary2–14Jim English
1956–57Tipperary3–11Kilkenny2–7
1957–58Wexford5–7Limerick4–8
1958–59Tipperary0–15Waterford0–7
1959–60Tipperary2–15Cork3–8Tony Wall
1960–61Tipperary6–6Waterford4–9Matt Hassett
1961–62Kilkenny1–16Cork1–8Alfie Hickey
1962–63
(Replay)
Waterford3-6
3-10
New York3-6
1-10
Croke Park
Nowlan Park
John Meaney
1962–63 Home finalWaterford2–15Tipperary4–7John Meaney
1963–64Tipperary5–12Wexford1–4
1964–65Tipperary3–14Kilkenny2–8Jimmy Doyle
1965–66Kilkenny10–15New York2–15Jim Lynch
1965–66 Home finalKilkenny0–9Tipperary0–7Jim Lynch
1966–67Wexford3–10Kilkenny1–9Jimmy O'Brien
1967–68Tipperary6–27New York4–22Gaelic ParkMick Roche
1967–68 Home finalTipperary3–9Kilkenny1–13Mick Roche
1968–69Cork3–12Wexford1–14Denis Murphy
1969–70Cork5–21New York6–16Gaelic ParkGerald McCarthy
1969–70 Home finalCork2–17Limerick0–7Gerald McCarthy
1970–71Limerick3–12Tipperary3–11Cork Athletic GroundsTony O'Brien
1971–72Cork3–14Limerick2–14Gaelic GroundsFrank Norberg
1972–73Wexford4–13Limerick3–7Gaelic GroundsJohn Quigley
1973–74Cork6–15Limerick1–12Gaelic GroundsJohn Horgan
1974–75Galway4–9Tipperary4–6Gaelic GroundsJohn Connolly
1975–76
(R)
Kilkenny0–16
6–14
Clare2–10
1–14
Semple Stadium
Semple Stadium
Phil 'Fan' Larkin
1976–77Clare2–8Kilkenny0–9Semple StadiumJohn McNamara
1977–78Clare3-10Kilkenny1-10Semple StadiumSeán Stack
1978–79Tipperary3–15Galway0–8Gaelic GroundsPaddy Williams
1979–80
(R)
Cork2–10
4–15
Limerick2–10
4–6
Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Dermot Mac Curtain
1980–81Cork3–11Offaly2–8Semple StadiumDónal O'Grady
1981–82Kilkenny2–14Wexford1–11Croke ParkBrian Cody
1982–83Kilkenny2–14Limerick2–12Semple StadiumLiam Fennelly
1983–84Limerick3–16Wexford1–9Semple StadiumLeonard Enright
1984–85Limerick3–12Clare1–7Semple StadiumLeonard Enright
1985–86Kilkenny2–10Galway2–6Semple StadiumFrank Holohan
1986–87Galway3–12Clare3–10Semple StadiumConor Hayes
1987–88Tipperary3–15Offaly2–9Croke ParkPat O'Neill
1988–89Galway2–16Tipperary4–8Croke ParkConor Hayes
1989–90Kilkenny0–19New York0–9Gaelic ParkKevin Fennelly
1989–90 Home finalKilkenny3-12Wexford1-10Croke ParkKevin Fennelly
1990–91Offaly2–6Wexford0–10Croke ParkDanny Owens
1991–92Limerick0–14Tipperary0–13Gaelic GroundsJoe O'Connor
1992–93
(Replay)
(2nd replay)
Cork2–11
0–18
3–11
Wexford2–11
3–9
1–12
Semple Stadium
Semple Stadium
Semple Stadium
Brian Corcoran
1993–94Tipperary2–14Galway0–12Gaelic GroundsGeorge Frend
1994–95Kilkenny2–12Clare0–9Semple StadiumBill Hennessy
1995–96Galway2–10Tipperary2–8Gaelic GroundsMichael Coleman
1997Limerick1–12Galway1–9Cusack ParkGary Kirby
1998Cork2–14Waterford0–13Semple StadiumDiarmuid O'Sullivan
1999Tipperary1–14Galway1–10Cusack ParkTommy Dunne
2000Galway2–18Tipperary2–13Gaelic GroundsJoe Rabbitte
2001Tipperary1–19Clare0–17Gaelic GroundsTommy Dunne
2002Kilkenny2–15Cork2–14Semple StadiumAndy Comerford
2003Kilkenny5–14Tipperary5–13Croke ParkD.J. Carey
2004Galway2–15Waterford1–13Gaelic GroundsOllie Canning
2005Kilkenny3–20Clare0–15Semple StadiumPeter Barry
2006Kilkenny3–11Limerick0–14Semple StadiumJackie Tyrrell
2007Waterford0–20Kilkenny0–18Semple StadiumMichael 'Brick' Walsh
2008Tipperary3–18Galway3–16Gaelic GroundsEoin Kelly
2009Kilkenny2–26Tipperary4–17Semple StadiumHenry Shefflin
2010Galway2–22Cork1–17Semple StadiumShane Kavanagh
2011Dublin0–22Kilkenny1–07Croke ParkJohn McCaffrey
2012Kilkenny3-21Cork0–16Semple StadiumEoin Larkin
2013Kilkenny2-17Tipperary0–20Nowlan ParkColin Fennelly
2014Kilkenny2-25Tipperary1-27Semple StadiumLester Ryan
2015Waterford1-24Cork0-17Semple StadiumKevin Moran
2016Clare1-23Waterford2-19Semple StadiumCian Dillon & Tony Kelly
2017Galway3-21Tipperary0-14Gaelic GroundsDavid Burke
2018Kilkenny2-23Tipperary2-17Nowlan ParkCillian Buckley
2019Limerick1-24Waterford0-19Croke ParkDeclan Hannon
2020Limerick0-36Clare1-23Semple StadiumDeclan Hannon
2021Galway and Kilkenny share title N/APádraic Mannion
Adrian Mullen
2022[9]Waterford4-20Cork1-23Semple StadiumConor Prunty
2023[10]Limerick2-20Kilkenny0-15Páirc Uí ChaoimhCian Lynch
2024Clare3-16Kilkenny1-20Semple StadiumConor Cleary
2025Cork3-24Tipperary0-23

Páirc Uí Chaoimh

Robert Downey
2026Limerick1-27Cork1-21Gaelic Grounds Cian Lynch
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Records and statistics

By decade

The most successful team of each decade, judged by number of National Hurling League titles, is as follows:

  • 1920s: 1 each for Cork (1926), Tipperary (1928) and Dublin (1929)
  • 1930s: 5 for Limerick (1934-35-36-37-38)
  • 1940s: 3 for Cork (1940-41-48)
  • 1950s: 6 for Tipperary (1950-52-54-55-57-59)
  • 1960s: 5 for Tipperary (1960-61-64-65-68)
  • 1970s: 3 for Cork (1970-72-74)
  • 1980s: 3 for Kilkenny (1982-83-86)
  • 1990s: 2 each for Kilkenny (1990–95), Limerick (1992–97), Cork (1993–98) and Tipperary (1994–99)
  • 2000s: 5 for Kilkenny (2002-03-05-06-09)
  • 2010s: 4 for Kilkenny (2012-13-14-18)
  • 2020s: 3 for Limerick (2020–23-26)

Gaps

Top ten longest gaps between successive league titles:

  • 72 years: Dublin (1939–2011)
  • 44 years: Waterford (1963–2007)
  • 38 years: Clare (1978–2016)
  • 31 years: Clare (1946–1977)
  • 29 years: Kilkenny (1933–1962)
  • 27 years: Cork (1998–2025)
  • 24 years: Galway (1951–1975)
  • 24 years: Limerick (1947–1971)
  • 22 years: Limerick (1997–2019)
  • 21 years: Tipperary (1928–1949)

Division 1B

History

Division 1B has existed in its current form since the 2025 league. Prior to this, Division 1B teams competed in Division 1 and Division 2A. The new division was created using the final rankings from the 2024 league.

Format

There are currently seven teams in Division 1B.

During the course of a season (from February to March) each team plays the others once (a single round-robin system) for a total of 21 games. Teams receive two points for a win and one point for a draw. No points are awarded for a loss. Where two teams are level on points, the team that wins the head-to-head match is ranked ahead. If this game is a draw, points difference (total scored minus total conceded in all games) is used to rank the teams. Where three or more teams are level on points, points difference is used to rank them. This is followed, if needed, by points scored, and then a play-off match.

The top two teams in Division 1B contest the final and are promoted to Division 1A. The bottom two teams in Division 1B are relegated to Division 2.

2027 Teams

The following seven teams will compete in Division 1B during the 2027 league.

More information Team, Position in table in 2026 ...
Team Position in table in 2026 First year in Division 1B In Division 1B since Division 1B titles Last Division 1B title
Antrim 5th 2012 2025 0
Kerry Division 2 runners-up 2027 2027 0
Kildare 4th 2026 2026 0
Laois Division 2 champions 2012 2027 0
Offaly Division 1A relegated 2012 2027 0
Waterford Division 1A relegated 2025 2027 1 2025
Wexford 3rd 2012 2026 0
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List of finals

More information Year, Winners ...
Year Winners Runners-up Stadium #
County Score County Score
2026 Clare 2–26 Dublin 3–20 TUS Gaelic Grounds
2025 Waterford 1–27 Offaly 2–20 Páirc Uí Chaoimh
2013–2024 No Division
2013 Dublin 1–16 Limerick 1–15 Semple Stadium [11]
2012 Clare 0–21 Limerick 1–16 Gaelic Grounds [12]
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Roll of honour

More information #, County ...
# County Titles Runners-up Winning years Losing years
1 Clare 2 0 2012, 2026
2 Dublin 1 1 2013 2026
Waterford 1 0 2025
4 Limerick 0 2 2012, 2013
Offaly 0 1 2025
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Division 2

History

Division 2 has existed in its current form since the 2025 league. Prior to this, Division 2 teams competed in Division 2A and Division 2B. The new division was created using the final rankings from the 2024 league.

Format

There are currently seven teams in Division 2.

During the course of a season (from February to March) each team plays the others once (a single round-robin system) for a total of 21 games. Teams receive two points for a win and one point for a draw. No points are awarded for a loss. Where two teams are level on points, the team that wins the head-to-head match is ranked ahead. If this game is a draw, points difference (total scored minus total conceded in all games) is used to rank the teams. Where three or more teams are level on points, points difference is used to rank them.

The top two teams in Division 2 contest the final and are promoted to Division 1B. The bottom two teams in Division 2 are relegated to Division 3.

2027 Teams

The following seven teams will compete in Division 2 during the 2027 league.

More information Team, Position in table in 2026 ...
Team Position in table in 2026 First year in Division 2 In Division 2 since Most recent promotion Most recent relegation Division 2 titles Last Division 2 title
Carlow Division 1B relegated 1957–58 2027 2018 1992–93 7 2018
Donegal Division 3 runners-up 2027 Never promoted 2025 0
Down Division 1B Relegated 1955–56 2027 2025 2012 2 2025
London 5th 2026 Never promoted 2019 0
Meath 4th 1955–56 2012 2000 2022 4 2000
Westmeath 3rd 1957–58 2026 2022 1993–94 7 2022
Wicklow Division 3 champions 1955–56 2027 1975-76 2021 4 1982
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Roll of honour

More information #, County ...
# County Titles Runners-up Winning years
1 Kerry 9 12 1957, 1962, 1967, 1968, 1979, 1998, 2001, 2014, 2015
2 Laois 8 3 1960, 1965, 1993, 2002, 2007, 2013, 2024, 2026
3 Westmeath 7 10 1964, 1975, 1977, 2008, 2016, 2019, 2022
Carlow 7 8 1958, 1959, 1974, 1978, 1981, 2012, 2018
5 Offaly 6 5 1966, 1988, 2005, 2009, 2021, 2023
Antrim 6 4 1956, 1970, 1992, 2003, 2017, 2020
7 Meath 5 6 1949, 1963, 1972, 1973, 2000
8 Wicklow 4 2 1971, 1976, 1980, 1982
Clare 4 2 1926, 1985, 1990, 1994
10 Dublin 3 1 1989, 1997, 2006
Wexford 3 1 1986, 1996, 2010
12 Down 2 4 2004, 2025
Tipperary 2 0 1984, 1987
Limerick 2 0 1983, 2011
14 Kildare 1 2 1969
Waterford 1 2 1995
Galway 1 0 1991
Derry 1 0 1999
19 Armagh 0 1
Kilkenny 0 1
Roscommon 0 1
Cork 0 2
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Relegated teams

List of finals

More information Year, Winners ...
Year Winners Runners-up Stadium Captain #
County Score County Score
Division 2
2026 Laois 3–18 Kerry 0–13 O'Moore Park
2025 Down 4–22 Kildare 3–18 Inniskeen
Division 2A
2024 Laois 2-22 Carlow 1-12
2023 Offaly 0-24 Kildare 1-18
2022 Westmeath 5–19 Down 1–17 FBD Semple Stadium Killian Doyle [20]
2021 Offaly 10 pts Carlow 6 pts N / A Ben Conneely
2020 Antrim 2-23 Kerry 2-20 O'Connor Park Conor McCann
2019 Westmeath 0–12 Kerry 0–10 Cusack Park Aonghus Clarke
2018 Carlow 2–19 Westmeath 2–12 O'Moore Park Eoin Nolan
Richard Coady
[21]
2017 Antrim 2–12 Carlow 0–15 Páirc Esler Simon McCrory [22]
2016 Westmeath 0–10 Carlow 0-08 O'Connor Park Aonghus Clarke [23]
2015 Kerry 5–17 Westmeath 3–17 Gaelic Grounds John Griffin [24]
2014 Kerry 3–16 Carlow 3–13 Semple Stadium John Egan [25]
2013 Laois 3–14 Westmeath 1-09 O'Connor Park Matthew Whelan [26]
2012 Carlow 1–14 Westmeath 0–12 Nowlan Park Shane Kavanagh
Edward Coady
[27]
Division 2
2011 Limerick 4–12 Clare 2–13 Cusack Park [28]
2010 Wexford 1–16 Clare 2-09 Semple Stadium [29]
2009 Offaly 1–13 Wexford 0–13 Semple Stadium [30]
2008 Westmeath 2–12 Carlow 0–12 Gaelic Grounds [31]
2007 Laois 2–19 Wicklow 0-08 Semple Stadium [32]
2006 Dublin 0–16 Kerry 1-06 Semple Stadium [33]
2005 Offaly 6-21 Carlow 4-07 Semple Stadium [34]
2004 Down 5–15 Westmeath 3-07 Gaelic Grounds [35]
2003 Antrim 3–18 Kerry 2–12 Croke Park [36]
2002 Laois 1-20 Antrim 2–14 Semple Stadium [37]
2001 Kerry 4–14 Westmeath 3–10 Croke Park
2000 Meath 5–14 Carlow 2–10 Cusack Park [38]
1999 Derry 1–14 Wicklow 0–13 O'Moore Park [39]
1998 Kerry 1–11 Westmeath 2-06 MacDonagh Park
1997 Dublin 14 pts Cork 12 pts N / A
1995–96 Wexford 12 pts Laois 10 pts N / A
1994–95 Waterford 12 pts Offaly 10 pts N / A
1993–94 Clare 11 pts Kilkenny 10 pts N / A
1992–93 Laois 14 pts Kerry 12 pts N / A
1991–92 Antrim 14 pts Meath 10 pts N / A
1990–91 Galway 14 pts Down 10 pts N / A
1989–90 Clare 13 pts Waterford 13 pts N / A
1988–89 Dublin 12 pts Cork 12 pts N / A
1987–88 Offaly 14 pts Antrim 10 pts N / A
1986–87 Tipperary 12 pts Waterford 11 pts N / A
1985–86 Wexford 13 pts Westmeath 12 pts N / A
1984–85 Clare 14 pts Dublin 9 pts N / A
1983–84 Tipperary 12 pts Offaly 12 pts N / A
1982–83 Limerick 14 pts Laois 12 pts N / A
1981–82 Wicklow 12 pts Meath 9 pts N / A
1980–81 Carlow 10 pts Down 8 pts N / A
1979–80 Wicklow 2–14 Armagh 1–05
1978–79 Kerry 8 pts Westmeath 7 pts N / A
1977–78 Carlow 1–15 Kerry 1–07
1976–77 Westmeath 10 pts Kerry 8 pts N / A
1975–76 Wicklow 2–09 Down 0–07
1974–75 Westmeath 7 pts Kerry 6 pts N / A
1973–74 Carlow
1972–73 Meath
1971–72 Meath
1970–71 Wicklow 8 pts Meath 6 pts N / A
1969–70 Antrim 2–13 Kildare 3–08 Croke Park
1968–69 Kildare 4–13 Westmeath 1–05 Croke Park
1967–68 Kerry 2–11 Antrim 1–09 Croke Park
1966–67 Kerry 4–08 Meath 3–08 Croke Park
1965–66 Offaly 4–11 Kerry 3–09 Croke Park
1964–65 Laois 3–14 Kerry 3–04 Croke Park
1963–64 Westmeath 3–09 Laois 3–07 Croke Park
1962–63 Meath
1961–62 Kerry 3–08 Meath 1–02 Frank Sheehy Park
1960-61
1959–60 Laois 5–09 Roscommon 1–08
1958–59 Carlow 2–11 Offaly 5–01
1957–58 Carlow 3–07 Offaly 0–04
1956–57 Kerry 6–01, 4–13 Meath 4–07, 3–06
1955–56 Antrim 2–07, 4–14 Kerry 1–10, 5–04
1950–1954
1948–49 Meath 2–03 Antrim 2–01 Corrigan Park
1927–1947
1925–26 Clare 8 pts Offaly 6 pts
Close

Division 3

History

Division 3 has existed in its current form since 2025. Prior to this, Division 3 had existed as 2 divisions of six teams each. The new division was created using the final rankings from the 2024 league.

Format

There are currently seven teams in Division 3.

During the course of a season (from January to March) each team plays the others once (a single round-robin system) for a total of 21 games. Teams receive two points for a win and one point for a draw. No points are awarded for a loss. Where two teams are level on points, the team that wins the head-to-head match is ranked ahead. If this game is a draw, points difference (total scored minus total conceded in all games) is used to rank the teams. Where three or more teams are level on points, points difference is used to rank them.

The top two teams in Division 3 contest the final and are promoted to Division 2 the following season.

The bottom two teams in Division 3 are relegated to Division 4 the following season. Their place in the division is then taken by the Division 4 champions and runners-up, who gain automatic promotion.

2027 Teams

The following seven teams will compete in Division 3 during the 2027 league.

More information Team, Position in table in 2026 ...
Team Position in table in 2026 First year in Division 3 In Division 3 since Most recent promotion Most recent relegation Division 3 titles Last Division 3 title
Derry 6th (Division 2) 2027 2011 Never relegated 0
Longford Division 4 runners-up 2027 2002 2009 1 2002
Louth 5th 1991–92 2026 2000 2024 2 2008
Mayo 7th (Division 2) 2027 2025 1993–94 6 2025
Roscommon 3rd 1992–93 2025 2023 Never relegated 6 2023
Sligo Division 4 champions 2027 2021 2025 2 2021
Tyrone 4th 1991–92 2026 2022 2010 2 2022
Close

Roll of honour

More information #, County ...
# County Titles Winning years
1 Roscommon 6 1984, 1993, 2007, 2016, 2019, 2023
Mayo 6 1980, 1986, 1998, 2003, 2024, 2025
3 Donegal 5 2001, 2005, 2014, 2017, 2020
4 Kildare 3 1983, 1992, 2009
Wicklow 3 1991, 2011, 2026
6 Meath 2 1985, 1988
Down 2 1987, 1989
Armagh 2 1999, 2006
Louth 2 2000, 2008
Kerry 2 1990, 2010
Fingal 2 2012, 2013
Sligo 2 2004, 2021
Tyrone 2 2015, 2022
14 Carlow 1 1994
Westmeath 1 1995
London 1 1996
Longford 1 2002
Warwickshire 1 2018
Close

List of finals

More information Year, Winners ...
Year Winners Runners-up Stadium Ref.
County Score County Score
Division 3
2026 Wicklow 3–16 Donegal 2–18 Aughrim County Ground
2025 Mayo 0–14 London 1–08 Manguard Park
Division 3A
2024 Mayo 3-19 Sligo 3-16
2023 Roscommon 2-17 Armagh 0-15
2022 Tyrone 2-21 Armagh 2-19
2021 Sligo 8 pts Armagh 6 pts N/A
2020 Donegal 1-18 Armagh 0-19
2019 Roscommon 0-14 Armagh 0-11
2018 Warwickshire 0-20 Louth 1–14 St. Loman's Park
2017 Donegal 4-25 Tyrone 1–12 Celtic Park [40]
2016 Roscommon 4–15 Monaghan 0-07 Fr. Tierney Park [41]
2015 Tyrone 0–18 Monaghan 1–11 Keady [42]
2014 Donegal 4–12 Roscommon 2–14 Markievicz Park [43]
2013 Fingal 1-09 Donegal 1-05 Breffni Park [44]
2012 Fingal w/o Monaghan scr. N/A [45]
2011 Wicklow 2-20 Derry 3–14 Pearse Park [46]
2010 Kerry 2–18 Derry 1–15 Woodmount [47]
2009 Kildare 2–18 Meath 1–18 Parnell Park [48]
Division 3
2008 Louth 1–16 Donegal 0–11 Roosky [49]
2007 Roscommon 1–13 Sligo 0–15 Kingspan Breffni Park [50]
2006 Armagh 3–10 Longford 1–11 Kingspan Breffni Park [51]
2005 Donegal 1–14 Mayo 2–10 Markievicz Park
2004 Sligo 3–12 Tyrone 1-08 Fr. Tierney Park
2003 Mayo 2–11 Sligo 2-06 MacHale Park
2002 Longford 1–12 Louth 0–12 Páirc Tailteann
2001 Donegal 3–13 Fermanagh 2–10 Kingspan Breffni Park
2000 Louth 0–16 Longford 1–11 Cusack Park
1999 Armagh 0–13 Mayo 1-06 Leo Casey Park
1998 Mayo 2–12 Cavan 1-08
1997
1995-96 London Kildare
1994-95 Westmeath London
1993-94 Carlow Roscommon
1992-93 Roscommon 0-08, w/o Mayo 0-08, scr
1991-92 Kildare 0-09 Monaghan 0-07
1990-91 Wicklow
1989-90 Kerry Derry
1988-89 Down Carlow
1987-88 Meath Derry
1986-87 Down Roscommon
1985-86 Mayo Waterford
1984-85 Meath Down
1983-84 Roscommon Down
1982-83 Kildare Meath
1980–1982 No Division
1979-80 Mayo 2–13 Monaghan 0–07
Close

Relegated teams

More information Year, County ...
Close

Division 4

2027 Teams

The following seven teams will compete in Division 4 during the 2027 league.

More information Team, Position in table in 2026 ...
Team Position in table in 2026 Most recent promotion First year in Division 4 In Division 4 since Division 4 titles Last Division 4 title
Armagh 6th (Division 3) Never promoted 2027 2027 0
Cavan 4th 2011 1982–83 2026 1 1982–83
Fermanagh 7th (Division 3) 2025 1982–83 2027 1 1994–95
Lancashire 7th Never promoted 2025 2025 0
Leitrim 3rd 2011 1982–83 2025 0
Monaghan 6th 2010 1983–84 2025 4 2010
Warwickshire 5th Never promoted 2025 2025 0
Close

List of finals

More information Year, Winners ...
Year Winners Runners-up Stadium #
County Score County Score
2026 Sligo 2–21 Longford 4–12 Markievicz Park
2025 Louth 0–16 Fermanagh 1–08 St Mellan's Park
2012–2024 No Division
2011 Tyrone 1–15 South Down 0–11 Athletic Grounds [58]
2010 Monaghan 1–18 Longford 1–10 Kingspan Breffni Park [59]
2009 Sligo 1–13 Monaghan 2-08 Pearse Park [60]
2008 Monaghan 1-27 South Down 5–14 Kingspan Breffni Park [61]
1997–2007 No Division
1995–96 Donegal
1994–95 Fermanagh
1993–94 Louth 12 pts Fermanagh 10 pts N / A
1992 No Division
1990–91 Mayo
1989–90 Sligo 13 pts Fermanagh 11 pts N / A
1988–89 Monaghan 4–07 Louth 1–09
1987–88 Longford 2–09 (R) Monaghan 2–07
1986–87 Tyrone 2–05 Leitrim 1–06
1985–86 Monaghan Longford
1984–85 Louth Sligo
1983–84 Longford
1982–83 Cavan Fermanagh
Close

Roll of honour

More information County, Titles ...
County Titles Runners-up Years won Years runners-up
Monaghan 4 1 1986, 1989, 2008, 2010 2009
Louth 3 1 1985, 1994, 2025 1989
Sligo 3 1 1990, 2009, 2026 1985
Tyrone 2 0 1987, 2011
Fermanagh 1 4 1995 1983, 1990, 1994, 2025
Longford 1 3 1984 1986, 2010, 2026
Cavan 1 0 1983
Mayo 1 0 1991
Donegal 1 0 1996
South Down 0 2 2008, 2011
Leitrim 0 1 1987
Close

Former Divisions

Division 2B

List of finals

More information Year, Winners ...
Year Winners Runners-up Stadium Ref.
County Score County Score
2023 Meath 0-20 Donegal 0-14
2022 Derry 1-23 Sligo 2-15
2021 Kildare 8 pts Derry 4 pts
2020 Down 2-16 Derry 0-17
2019 Wicklow 1-09 Derry 0-08
2018 Mayo 1-15 Down 0-14 Kingspan Breffni Park [62]
2017 Meath 4-24 Wicklow 2-15 Parnell Park [63]
2016 Armagh 0-20 Down 1-15 St. Brigid's Park [64]
2015 Kildare 0-22 Meath 0-17 Cusack Park [65]
2014 Wicklow 0-23 Down 1-18 Páirc Tailteann [66]
2013 London 1-16 Meath 1-14 St. Conleth's Park [67]
2012 Kildare 3-13 Meath 1-12 Parnell Park [68]
Close

Roll of Honour

More information #, County ...
# County Titles Runners-up Years won Years runners-up
1 Kildare 3 0 2012, 2015, 2021 -
2 Meath 2 3 2017, 2023 2012, 2013, 2015
Wicklow 2 1 2014, 2019 2017
4 Down 1 3 2020 2014, 2016, 2018
Derry 1 3 2022 2019, 2020, 2021
London 1 0 2013 -
Armagh 1 0 2016 -
Mayo 1 0 2018 -
9 Sligo 0 1 - 2022
Donegal 0 1 - 2023
Close

Relegated teams

More information Year, Team ...
Close

Division 3B

Roll of Honour

More information #, County ...
# County Titles Runners-up Years won Years runners-up
1 Longford 3 3 2013, 2017, 2019 2015, 2016, 2022
Fermanagh 3 0 2012, 2016, 2022 -
3 Warwickshire 1 2 2015 2012, 2017
Sligo 1 2 2020 2013, 2019
Roscommon 1 1 2011 2009
Louth 1 1 2021 2010
Cavan 1 1 2023 2021
London 1 0 2009 -
Wicklow 1 0 2010 -
Tyrone 1 0 2014 -
Lancashire 1 0 2018 -
12 Leitrim 0 4 - 2014, 2018, 2020, 2023
Mayo 0 1 - 2011
Close

List of finals

More information Year, Winners ...
Year Winners Runners-up Stadium Ref.
County Score County Score
2023 Cavan 0-17 Leitrim 0-16 National Games Development Centre [74]
2022 Fermanagh 2-18 Longford 1-17 Avant Money Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada
2021 Louth 6 pts Cavan 3 pts N/A
2020 Sligo 3-17 Leitrim 2-16 Connacht Centre of Excellence
2019 Longford 2-15 Sligo 3-10 Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence
2018 Lancashire 1-25 Leitrim 1-18 First Ulsters Park
2017 Longford 4-19 Warwickshire 3-20 Páirc Naomh Colmcille [75]
2016 Fermanagh 2-13 Longford 3-08 Markievicz Park [76]
2015 Warwickshire 1-15 Longford 2-10 Killegland West [77]
2014 Tyrone 0-13 Leitrim 1-09 Markievicz Park [78]
2013 Longford 1-08 Sligo 0-09 Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada [79]
2012 Fermanagh 2-15 Warwickshire 2-05 Parnell Park [80]
2011 Roscommon 0-17 Mayo 1-12 Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada [81]
2010 Wicklow 3-18 Louth 2-09 Parnell Park [82]
2009 London 2-19 Roscommon 2-13 Pearse Park
Close

Division 3 Shield

More information Year, Winners ...
Year Winners Score Runners-up Score Stadium Ref.
2004 Donegal 4-14 Cavan 2-06 Brewster Park
2005 Fermanagh 0-15 Longford 1-05 Kingspan Breffni Park
2006 Tyrone 3-09 Sligo 0-10 Kingspan Breffni Park [83]
2007 Fermanagh 1-11 Leitrim 1-10 Markievicz Park
Close

Player records

Broadcasting rights

Setanta Sports broadcasts live matches in Australia. Setanta Sports also provides matches from the National Hurling League in Asia. In Ireland TG4 shows live matches each week on Sunday afternoon, with deferred coverage of a second match shown straight after. Setanta Sports broadcasts matches live on the Saturday evening slot. Highlights for all the games are shown at 7:00pm on League Sunday on RTÉ2.

See also

References

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